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On Monday, July 26, protesters held signs over the 101 freeway overpasses in downtown Los Angeles to protest the controversial Arizona SB1070 law. The group held the banners in the morning and afternoon rush hours as cars passing honked in support. This undoubtedly added more strain to the typical LA rush hour traffic. The law is set to go into effect this Thursday.

Jenna Skarzenski / Canyon News

The next day, Tuesday, the 27th, a small group gathered in front of the downtown Edward R. Roybal federal building to also protest the Arizona SB1070 law. This group consisted of SCIC, Freedom Socialist Party members and others who made speeches to the press about the law and their beliefs.

**Wow, I’m REALLY late with this. I kinda failed in the whole ‘posting in a timely manner’ department**

CSULB CAMPUS / LONG BEACH, CA

On June 12th and 13th, the Special Olympics was held on the CSULB campus and I was there to cover it for the Daily 49er.

Before this year’s 2010 Special Olympics, I had never been to one. I had consequently, never really understood this program until I went this year and saw for myself how wonderful it is for everyone involved. The whole event has such a united spirit that even when I was surrounded by strangers, I felt a lot of love. I don’t believe I’ve ever been anywhere, where you could literally feel such genuine affection and goodwill.

These are my favorites.

A participant carries a paper Olympic torch during the Opening Ceremonies of the Special Olympics.

^ This one is SO CUTE. The kid just makes me smile.

Participants cross the finish line in the Women's 50 meter dash.

^ The guy standing in the runner’s lane was a part of volunteers who all stood behind the finish line to greet and stop the runners. Some of their interaction together was really sweet, like the moment I caught below.

A runner greets one of the volunteers who cheered and greeted him at the finish line.

Two girls who competed in the 50 meter run stand on the platform to receive their Gold and Silver Olympic medals.

Runners of the 50 meter dash stand on the podium to receive their medals.

The happiness of the competitors and volunteers was so infectious that I was smiling the rest of the day. After I left, I whole-heartedly knew why they created this event; It’s to put a smile on all of those kids’ faces and when they smile, we smile because it’s just so damn cute.

Anonymous protesters heckled the AIDS walkers as they progressed down the street.

Walkers respond to the protesters by cheering even louder.

Volunteer Ken Hansen, 44, tries to drown out the protesters as he encourages runners onward.

Walkers hug and kiss in front of the Anti-Gay protesters.

A walker makes a heart with her hands towards the protesters.

An anonymous protester heckles the walkers.

my opinion:

The best part of this event for me was laughing at these protesters. Honestly, this had nothing to do with them. It was a day where people came together to help raise money for AIDS research and last time I checked it’s a pandemic that afflicts both heterosexuals and homosexuals. I must admit that I stayed in this area because many of the walkers would become energetic as they passed and responded to these protesters. It was fascinating to witness.

This anonymous protester that I ellude to in the above pictures refused to give me his name. It was kind of funny because he told me to “make one up.” and I replied with “I’m a journalist, I can’t make things up.”… It felt kind of great to say that to him, seeing as I couldn’t say what I was thinking.